Jordan Bardella: Aligning with Trump on Europe's Challenges
In a recent BBC interview, the leader of France's far-right National Rally (RN), Jordan Bardella, expressed his agreement for the most part with the concerns raised by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Europe. Bardella praised Trump’s appeal to American pride and the discussion contained within Trump's newly published National Security Strategy, which characterizes Europe as under threat due to lax immigration policies.
Speaking with the BBC's Nick Robinson, Bardella made it clear that he advocates for European independence and opposes any subservience to powers like the United States, despite sharing some of the criticisms outlined by the Trump administration.
The 30-year-old politician, regarded as a frontrunner in the race for the next French presidency, mentioned a growing spirit of freedom and national pride that he believes is sweeping through Western democracies. However, he maintained a hardline stance on immigration, asserting that mass immigration has destabilized French society.
Bardella highlighted his view that lax immigration policies over the past 30 years have disrupted the balance of European countries, asserting, France will no longer be the target of mass immigration if he is elected. He proposed triggering a referendum on immigration policy as his initial measure, should he gain power.
He suggested that significant reforms are needed to regain control over immigration, although it is noted that changes to allow referenda on such topics would require constitutional amendments. This would necessitate achieving a majority in Parliament or forming strategic alliances.
As Bardella positions himself as a leading figure amid growing tensions in the RN regarding who will lead the party into the next election—himself or Marine Le Pen—he reaffirmed his loyalty and support for Le Pen, pledging to campaign alongside her despite her current legal issues that may prevent her candidacy.
While Bardella aims to move the RN away from its controversial history linked to Jean-Marie Le Pen, he faces challenges in reconciling the party's past with modern perceptions. He has maintained that his political objectives focus on presenting a project of national recovery that resonates with primarily French values.
While emphasizing strict immigration policies, Bardella also acknowledged the complexities surrounding France's economic landscape, indicating that current fiscal strategies regarding taxation and regulations hinder growth. He also spoke about France's role in international issues, such as the conflict in Ukraine, where he opposed sending military support, countering current government strategies.
With the next presidential election set for 2027, Bardella's views are already shaping the political discourse in France as he advocates for a return to national sovereignty and a reevaluation of France's stance on immigration and cultural identity.
